How much does owning a Cane Corso cost is likely a question you’re asking if you’re considering welcoming one of these majestic mutts into your family. Known for being highly intelligent, confident and intensely loyal, these assertive and wilful dogs make wonderful companions for confident owners.
However, owning a Cane Corso dog doesn’t come cheap. While any dog will cost you a lot more than the purchase price over the course of its life, it’s particularly important to consider the realities and practicalities of this if you’re choosing a larger breed of dog, like the Cane Corso.
Although they are very affectionate and devoted when it comes to their owners, the Cane Corso has strong protective instincts and is wary of anyone outside its own family. For that reason, you’ll need to invest in training and socialization from a very early age and learn how to spot dog trainer red flags to ensure your pup is getting taught the correct set of skills to behave appropriately around strangers.
Alongside training costs, the Cane Corso is prone to certain medical conditions that are part and parcel of their larger size. These two things, coupled with their size, food intake and desirability as a guard dog means the Cane Corso is considered one of the more expensive dog breeds to own. To help you decide whether this pup is for you, we’ve provided a detailed breakdown below of the costs associated with owning a Cane Corso. Let’s take a look…
How much does a Cane Corso cost: Price of puppies
Out of the 195 dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Cane Corso comes in at number 25 in terms of popularity, making them one of the most sought-after breeds of 2021.
Similarly, they also rank as one of the more expensive breeds, with Cane Corso puppies selling for anywhere between $700 and $2,500, with the average price sitting around $1,500. It’s worth noting, however, that some breeders will charge between $5,000 and $8,000 for a Cane Corso puppy that has come from purebred, show-quality parents.
Other things that can influence the cost of a Cane Corso puppy, aside from their bloodline and whether they are purebred or mixed, include registration papers (many reputable breeders will register their puppies), pre-adoption health screenings, and early training and socialization. Location and coat color can also play a role in determining how much you’ll pay.
While all of these factors can substantially drive up the price of adopting a Cane Corso puppy, it really is worth investing in a puppy that has come from a high-quality, reputable breeder who has taken the time to tick all these boxes. What may seem like a huge outlay in the beginning could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Expect to spend around $4,500 - $5,000 in the first year of your pup’s life, with that cost falling to around $2,000 in subsequent years. Let’s take a closer look at three of the key areas where your precious pennies will be going.
How much does a Cane Corso cost: Food and supplies
Your first year of owning a Cane Corso is likely to be the most expensive of their 10 - 12 year lifespan and that’s because on top of the cost of adoption, you’ll need to invest in a range of supplies. Here are a few items you’ll want to pick up before you bring your new hound home:
- One of the best dog beds
- An ID tag
- A high-quality dog crate
- A collar
- A selection of the best dog toys
- Food and water bowls
- A dog harness
- Wet or dry food
One of the most costly ongoing expenses will be food. Whether it’s the best wet dog food or the best dry dog food, you’ll need to budget around $500 - $600 a year to feed this breed that can tip the scales at over 100lbs.
When it comes to grooming, the Cane Corso is fairly low maintenance, with a good brush once a week being enough to keep their coat in tip-top shape. If you want to use a professional groomer, expect to pay between $75 - $100 per visit, or you can invest in one of the best dog grooming kits and save money by doing it yourself.
And of course, while you would have picked out a ton of supplies before you brought your pup home, many of these will need replacing on an annual basis. At the very least, you’ll likely need to purchase a new bed and replace their toys every 12 months.
How much does a Cane Corso cost: Training and socialization
While many dog owners can get away with winging it when it comes to training and socialization, the Cane Corso is not a breed that you can afford to adopt this strategy with.
If you choose to adopt a Cane Corso, it’s imperative that you’re aware of just what you’re getting - a highly loyal and affectionate but very strong-willed and assertive dog, whose natural protective instincts will make them wary of strangers.
Their desire to guard you and your family means that professional training and socialization is absolutely vital to help them learn how to behave appropriately when out in public or around those they don’t know - the last thing you want is to have to learn how to calm a reactive dog because certain potentially problematic behaviors weren't nipped in the bud early on.
And, as you can probably imagine, the cost of training can add up. But, when you weigh that against the peace of mind that you’ll be able to easily control your Cane Corso when you need to, it makes it well worth it.
Prices for training will vary, but expect to pay around $1,000 all up - this will cover approximately six group obedience classes and six group socialization classes. You might also like to pay extra to work with a trainer privately. This can be particularly helpful if you’re wanting to learn how to confidently manage your Cane Corso and typically costs between $80 - $150 an hour.
How much does a Cane Corso cost: Medical expenses
In the first year, there will be several vet appointments your Cane Corso needs to attend. These visits will cover the usual exams and vaccinations and all up, you’ll be looking at between $600 - $800 for these first-year medical expenses.
While you’ll likely go to the vet less as your dog gets older, the fact that the Cane Corso is a big breed means that your annual costs will remain higher than if you had a smaller dog. The recommended annual preventative care costs for a Cane Corso are around $1,000 - this includes exams and vaccinations, heartworm prevention and the monthly costs associated with providing your pup with the best flea treatment for dogs.
Not every Cane Corso will suffer health problems and thankfully, this breed tends to thrive overall, but they do have a medium to high susceptibility for the following conditions:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye abnormalities
- Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV)
- Arthritis
Receiving treatment for these conditions can cost as little as $500 or run as high as $13,000, which is why we strongly recommend that you consider investing in the best pet insurance to help ensure you’re covered should your Cane Corso require surgery or other medical interventions.
Why are Cane Corso so expensive?
While the Cane Corso may be one of the most desirable dogs to own, they’re also one of the most expensive. With an average lifespan of between 10 - 12 years, the Cane Corso costs an average of $24,000 across the course of its life. However, this can run as high as $80,000 if they suffer from health issues or if you decide to make regular use of dog walkers or boarding facilities.
So, what is it about this breed that makes owning one such a painful experience for your bank balance? Well, their size for starters. Weighing in at around 100lbs, these are big boys and girls and big dogs require big portions of food. Plus, this is also a breed with strong protective instincts, which means they require more of a financial investment when it comes to training and socialization.
But, if you feel you have the financial resources to meet the diverse needs of this breed, the Cane Corso will reward you by being an incredibly loving and loyal dog who will dote on you and your family. Just make sure you do your sums and research carefully before deciding to welcome this hound into your home.
For more great canine content, check out our guides to how to stop a dog from jumping up and three causes for reactivity in dogs.
